Graciela Elizalde-Utnick

Professor Elizalde-Utnick coordinates the bilingual specializations in the Graduate Programs in School Psychology and School Counseling. Elizalde-Utnick has taught courses in bilingual assessment, multicultural counseling and consultation, instructional interventions in schools, and bilingual school counseling. From 2011 to 2015 Elizalde-Utnick directed the Roberta S. Matthews Center for Teaching. She has trained faculty to transform a traditional courses into one that implements team-based learning methodology.

Areas of Expertise:

Elizalde-Utnick coordinates the Bilingual Specializations in School Psychology and School Counseling. She is a New York State certified bilingual school psychologist with expertise in English language learners, multicultural competence training, immigrant families, and selective mutism. Her interests include selective mutism, bilingual assessment and counseling, home-school collaboration, and team-based learning.

Books and Publications

Elizalde-Utnick, G. and C. Guerrero. "Best Practices in School-Based Services for Immigrant Children and Families." Best Practices in School Psychology: Foundations. Eds. P.L. Harrison and A. Thomas. Bethesda, Md.: National Association of School Psychologists. (Books and Publications: Chapter) 2014

Lopez, E., G. Elizalde-Utnick and S. Nahari. "Working with Interpreters to Communicate with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families: A Handout for School Personnel." Helping Children at Home and School II: Handouts for Families and Educators. Eds. A.S. Canter, L.Z. Paige, M.D. Roth, I. Romero and S.A. Carroll. Washington, D.C.: National Association for School Psychologists. Also in CD-ROM format. (Books and Publications: Other Article) 2004

Elizalde-Utnick, G., E. Lopez and S. Nahari. "Language Proficiency Assessment: Assessing Limited English Proficient, Learners of English as a Second Language, and Bilingual Students." New York State Education Department (VESID). (Books and Publications: Other Article) 2003

"Best Practices in Building Partnerships with Families." Best Practices in School Psychology IV. Eds. A. Thomas and J. Grimes. Washington, D.C.: National Association of School Psychologists. (Books and Publications: Chapter) 2002

"Growing Up with Two Languages: Understanding Childhood Bilingualism and Its Implications for Assessment and Learning." AECIP (NYAECIP) Newsletter 1.2, Fall. Available at: http://www.aecip.org/newsletters/fall01childbilingual.html. (Books and Publications: Other Article) 2001

Awards, Honors and Fellowships

Continuation of two New York City Department of Education Bilingual Scholarship (School Psychology/School Counseling) contracts that provide tuition waivers to participating students. 2014-19. (Grants and Fellowships) 2014

Elizalde-Utnick, G. and G. Horowitz. PSC-CUNY grant, for "Can Providing Training to New Graduate Students Improve their Teaching of Organic Chemistry Recitation: An Action Research Study." $3,500, 2012-13. (Grants and Fellowships) 2012

Speak Up/Speak Out, Diversity Projects Development Fund. In response to the recent hate crimes occurring in our communities (including higher education and New York City school settings), the School Counseling Program faculty (María R. Scharrón-del Río, Graciela Elizalde-Utnick, Delida Sanchez and Lynda Sarnoff) submitted a proposal to the Diversity Projects Development Fund during the fall 2007 semester. The main purpose of our proposal, entitled Speak Up/Speak Out, is to fund and develop a series of training, didactic and networking activities to increase awareness, knowledge and skills around racial, ethnic and cultural diversity issues in school and higher education. Our objective falls within a "train the trainer" model: We intend to increase the skills in our faculty, students and DOE school personnel (teachers, principals and administrators) around addressing diversity issues in a multicultural competent way. (Grants and Fellowships) 2008

Continuation of two New York City Department of Education Bilingual Scholarship (School Psychology/Guidance & Counseling) contracts that provide tuition waivers to participating students. 2005-10. (Grants and Fellowships) 2007

Sloan Grant to develop an online research course; 6 credits of reassigned time for Fall 2006. (Grants and Fellowships) 2007

Speak Up/Speak Out, Diversity Projects Development Fund. In response to the recent hate crimes occurring in our communities (including higher education and New York City school settings),the School Counseling Program faculty (María R. Scharrón-del Río, Graciela Elizalde-Utnick, Delida Sanchez and Lynda Sarnoff) submitted a proposal to the Diversity Projects Development Fund during the fall 2007 semester. The main purpose of our proposal, entitled Speak Up/Speak Out, is to fund and develop a series of training, didactic and networking activities to increase awareness, knowledge and skills around racial, ethnic and cultural diversity issues in school and higher education. Our objective falls within a "train the trainer" model: We intend to increase the skills in our faculty, students and DOE school personnel (teachers, principals and administrators) around addressing diversity issues in a multicultural competent way. (Grants and Fellowships) 2007

Three credits of reassigned time from Provost's Office for scholarly work. (Grants and Fellowships) 2007

Continuation of two New York City Department of Education Bilingual Scholarship (School Psychology/Guidance & Counseling) contracts that provide tuition waivers to participating students. 2005-10. (Grants and Fellowships) 2006

Sloan Grant, to develop an online research course; 6 credits of reassigned time for Fall 2006. (Grants and Fellowships) 2006

Two New York City Department of Education Bilingual Scholarship (School Psychology/Guidance & Counseling) contracts that provide tuition waivers to participating students. 2005-10. (Grants and Fellowships) 2005

PSC-CUNY Research Award, for "Identity, Self, and Individualism in a Multicultural Perspective: A National Survey Study." (Grants and Fellowships) 2004

PSC-CUNY Research Award, for "Identity, Self, and Individualism in a Multicultural Perspective: A National Survey Study." (Grants and Fellowships) 2003

Recipient of grants and awards honored by Brooklyn College. (Awards and Honors) 2000

Bilingual School Psychology Support Center (New York State Education Department--collaboration with Professor Emilia Lopez, Queens College (CUNY)). The center was a collaborative endeavor of the Bilingual School Psychology Programs of Brooklyn College and Queens College, and the New York State Education Department, Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID). Under the grant, the center provided training and technical assistance through the Lifelong Services Training Networks. This support was available to schools, school districts, university programs and professional organizations involved in delivering assessment services to culturally and linguistically diverse students. $225,000 ($75,000 per year for three years, April 1998-Dec. 31, 2001). (Grants and Fellowships) 1998

"The Response-to-Intervention Framework and English Language Learners." Ten-hour workshop series for Island Park School District staff. February/March. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2008

"Helping Anxious Children Learn at School." Five-hour workshop series for Island Park School District staff. July. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2007

"Pre-Referral Intervention Strategies with English Language Learners." National Association of School Psychologists Conference. New York, March 27. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2007

"Differentiating between Learning Differences and Learning Disorders in English Language Learners." Presented to Oceanside School District staff, January. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2006

"Growing Up with Two Languages: Understanding Childhood Bilingualism and Its Implications for Assessment and Learning." Presented to Oceanside School District staff. Jan. 7 and 21. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2004